Do the Dead Have a Right to Keep Their Bodies Out of Museums?

Key Themes and Ideas

• Historical Context:

  • Joshua Reynolds' 1786 portrait of John Hunter includes anatomical specimens and a skeleton belonging to Charles Byrne, known as the Irish Giant.
  • The portrait indicates the ownership and scientific interest Hunter had in Byrne's remains.

• Charles Byrne's Story:

  • Byrne, born in 1761, was known for exhibiting himself due to his extraordinary height of approximately 7 ft 7 in.
  • He was an Irishman who sometimes used the name O'Brien, linking himself to legendary Irish figures like Brian Boru.
  • Byrne feared posthumous exploitation and made efforts to prevent his body from being obtained by Hunter.
  • Despite his wishes, Byrne's body was purchased by Hunter post-mortem, allegedly for a significant sum.

• Science vs. Rights of the Deceased:

  • The ethical dilemma of using human remains for scientific research without consent.
  • Byrne’s skeleton was displayed for over two centuries, contributing to scientific discoveries about growth disorders.

The Kennewick Man Case

• Discovery and Initial Analysis:

  • Found in 1996, a skeleton along the Columbia River dated back 8,500 years, known as Kennewick Man or the Ancient One.
  • Controversy about the ownership and identity under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

• Scientific and Societal Implications:

  • Legal battles over whether the bones should be studied or repatriated to Native American tribes.
  • Initial scientific analysis suggested a non-Native American identity, but later DNA evidence confirmed Native American ancestry.
  • The bones were eventually returned to the tribes and reburied.

Comparative Analysis

• Cultural and Scientific Perspectives:

  • The differing fates of Byrne and Kennewick Man illustrate broader themes of scientific ethics, colonialism, and identity.
  • Native American values and legal frameworks eventually prioritized cultural over scientific claims in the Kennewick case.

• Current Status of Byrne’s Remains:

  • Despite calls for burial, Byrne's skeleton remains in storage at the Hunterian Museum for future research.
  • Advances in DNA technology continue to promise new insights, contributing to ethical debates on the use of human remains.

Conclusion

• Ethical Considerations:
  • The treatment of human remains reflects societal values and the complex interplay between cultural identity, scientific inquiry, and historical legacy.
  • Byrne and Kennewick Man's stories highlight ongoing debates about the rights of the deceased in the face of scientific curiosity and colonial histories.